The Rich Young Ruler Encounters Jesus

Scripture
Matthew 19:16–22 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments." "Which ones?" he inquired. Jesus replied, "'You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'" "All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Mark 10:17–27 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

Luke 18:18–23 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.” All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.

The Rich Young Ruler Encounters Jesus
Followed by large crowds, Jesus departed Galilee and came into Judea where He healed and was questioned; he graciously responded and continued to bless others. After much ministry, He was approached by a young man with a burning question (Matthew 19:2–16).

One Good Thing
Luke called the young man a ruler (Luke 18:18) implying he was likely a member of an official council or court, a respected member of his community, a man of wealth. Though we know he possessed much (Mark 10:22), when he encountered Jesus, he knew he lacked the “good thing” he needed to do to acquire eternal life, and he was eager to obtain it. “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” he asked (Matthew 19:16). All legalistic systems promote the idea that there must be some act so outstanding as to ensure eternal life (Luke 10:25). Surely there was something this man could do to gain the one thing he did not possess.

But Jesus responded with a question, and then told the man to focus on Him, not a good thing to do or a good principle to follow. Jesus reiterated that He was, in fact, the only Good One, that all good things come from, and that through him, the man should obey the commandments (Matthew 19:17). Clearly not one to shy away from clarifying questions, the man asked Jesus to break it down for him, and assured the promised Savior that he had in fact kept all of the commands, even since he was a boy. He wanted to know what he could still lack to gain eternal life (Mark 10:18–20). Recognizing the man’s earnestness, Jesus looked at him through the eyes of love (v. 21). That love compelled Jesus to speak to the inner obedience of the young man’s heart, not the outer conformity he had proven through the law.

Self or Surrender
In love, Jesus extolled the young man to leave the things he had held on to, the things he had gained on his own merit, and follow Him. But instead of surrendering all to follow Jesus, the young man chose to turn away. He refused to let his encounter with Jesus penetrate and change his heart. He departed “grieved” because at the end of the day, he desired his possessions, his earnings, more than he desired eternal life (v. 22).

Eternal life is not something to be obtained; rather the Bible always teaches that salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9). In a culture that often thrives on a do-it-yourself hustle, how do you find it difficult to humbly trust God’s great grace?

When we encounter Jesus, and He asks us to surrender all and follow Him, we have a choice to make. Will we surrender the self-striving, the hustle, the wealth, maybe even the most precious things we possess, or will we turn away saddened by our decision?

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all responses

Andrea Bailey

Wed, 12/06/2017 - 06:32

I must recognize when I am valuing the things of this world over God's commandments. I pray for the sight to see when I get carried away. When I focus on what God has asked of me, I am more blessed by His plan than anything I could have done myself.

I know the Father is trustworthy. What scares me though is, will I like what He does. There are times when His answers are painful so I am always afraid that the painful answer will be the one that He gives.

I struggle with this too.... my short sidedness as mentioned in the video. I know his ways are always right but sometimes I don't"want" the best way, I want the easier more comfortable way!!!!

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Michelle Helms

Wed, 12/06/2017 - 06:08

So much wisdom in the video this morning, "we are so short-sided".... I know I am, it's a choice to live under his sovereignty but just like Jennie said how easy it is to forget that choice when something is in our visual field that seems so "right now".... I felt convicted a few months ago that the amount of time I was spending at work and the amount of responsibility and stress that I carry can not be how God wants me to live my daily life, it affects my responsibilities and time in my home and my time with God. I started "wrestling" with God over this because of my short sided vision all I could see is what we would have to go without or wondering how we would we get our son through college.... just thinking about it took my breath away. But I remember the moment God spoke very clearly to my heart, "Trust me!" and with the prayers and support of my husband we stepped out in faith and I resigned.... not knowing what the next steps were. At first I felt so much confidence but within a few weeks I would have moments of anxiety and panic.... but I testify God has comforted me with his spirit over and over. He has proven what a provider he is to me and I look back on what he has done and I am deeply comforted. He also gave me a verse the day I felt it was his call for me to resign, and that verse has shown up in amazing ways at desperate moments! I know deep in my heart that His way is the way that I truly want, but some days my flesh is weak and wins out..... so so thankful that Jesus does look at me in love, just as he did the rich young ruler, His heart for his children is so deep and good!!!

Know God. Draw near on His Word and through prayer. Meditate on His words, and discover the beauty of His glory in the face of Christ. The grace and truth Jesus brings through the Spirit's ministry to our souls will open our eyes to the reality that HE IS OUR VERY GREAT REWARD.

I can live a life of self preservation or I can live a life of reckless abandon by chasing Jesus. Self preservation is comfortable. Reckless abandon is uncomfortable but sounds so much more fun and exciting! Think I need to become uncomfortable!

"Self preservation is comfortable. Reckless abandon is uncomfortable but sounds so much more fun and exciting!" Yes! And thank you!

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Addie W

Wed, 12/06/2017 - 06:02

The Christmas season is full of situations that tempt us to show off our "things". From the cookies we bake to the parties we throw, to the gifts we give. We want our friends, and family to be wowed by all we have, the fancy wrappings we provide, and sometimes by the money we spend. This was a perfect lesson to remind us to stop, and get our priorities focused on eternal life rather than "things". God's Christmas gift was very simply wrapped, and through that gift, we find eternal life, if, we will follow him.